What can I do if the personal representative sends me a payment without explaining how he calculated my share of the estate? — TN
What to do if the personal representative sends a payment without explaining how they calculated your share Detailed Answer — Your rights and practical steps under Tennessee law If a personal representative (sometimes called an executor or administrator) sends you money from an estate but does not explain how they arrived at your payment amount, […]
Read article →What documentation is required to prove I'm the next of kin and qualify as administrator in a reopened estate (TN)
How to prove next-of-kin status and qualify as an administrator when reopening a Tennessee estate This FAQ explains what courts in Tennessee typically require to show you are the decedent’s next of kin and to obtain appointment as administrator when an estate must be reopened. This is general information only — not legal advice. Consult […]
Read article →How can I reopen my father's closed estate in TN so I can be appointed as administrator?
FAQ — Reopening a Closed Estate and Seeking Appointment as Administrator in Tennessee This FAQ explains the usual steps, legal principles, and practical tips for asking a Tennessee probate court to reopen a previously closed estate and to be appointed as the estate's administrator. This is general information only and not legal advice. Consult a […]
Read article →What steps do I need to take when the original estate administrator has died before completing the probate in TN?
Detailed Answer Short answer: If the original estate administrator (personal representative) dies before completing probate in Tennessee, you must notify the probate court, file for appointment of a successor personal representative, secure the estate assets, and continue required inventories, accountings, and creditor notices until a successor is appointed. The court will follow Tennessee probate rules […]
Read article →How long does it usually take to get an out-of-state will approved in Tennessee probate?
Detailed Answer This FAQ explains how Tennessee probate courts typically handle a will that was executed outside Tennessee and how long the process usually takes. It covers common scenarios, the main steps the court follows, and the factors that make the timeline longer or shorter. This is educational information only and not legal advice. Which […]
Read article →What happens if the survey shows the property was conveyed out of my mother’s estate decades ago and I have no interest? (Tennessee)
Detailed Answer Short answer: If a recent survey and title search show that the property was validly conveyed out of your mother’s estate decades ago and the grantee’s deed was properly executed and recorded, you most likely no longer have a legal ownership interest in that parcel. In plain terms: a valid conveyance that was […]
Read article →How do I get the probate court’s permission to sell the property when the clerk’s office won’t explain the filing requirements? (TN)
Detailed Answer — How to get probate court permission to sell estate property in Tennessee This guide explains, in plain language, the steps to obtain court authority to sell real property in a Tennessee probate case when the clerk’s office won’t or can’t explain filing requirements. It shows who must file, what to file, how […]
Read article →Can I recover personal items heirs removed before I took possession and enforce the court’s order? (TN)
Recovering Personal Items Removed by Heirs and Enforcing a Court Order in Tennessee Short answer: Yes — often you can recover personal items removed by heirs and enforce a court order in Tennessee, but the correct remedy depends on (1) what the court’s order actually said, (2) when and how the heirs removed the items, […]
Read article →What steps do I need to follow as executor to sell real property to pay estate debts in Tennessee (TN)?
FAQ: Selling Estate Real Property as Executor — Steps to Pay Estate Debts (Tennessee) Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This article explains common Tennessee probate practices and statutes to help you understand the process. It is not legal advice. For decisions that affect rights, consult a Tennessee probate attorney or the probate court where […]
Read article →What Happens to a Safe Deposit Box After Someone Dies in TN?
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Tennessee, a bank will usually lock a decedent’s safe deposit box until the person legally entitled to its contents shows proper proof of authority. Who gets access depends on how the box was titled (sole name, joint tenants, or with a designated agent), whether there is a probate case, and […]
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